LONDON, UK, 25 June 2026 – British travellers planning a summer getaway could find better value on flights to some of Europe’s most popular beach destinations this year. New figures from KAYAK’s Flight Price Trends Dashboard reveal that average return fares from the UK to European destinations for travel in the coming months are currently £158, representing a 4% decrease compared with the same period last year. Spain and Portugal are seeing some of the most significant reductions, with fares to certain cities falling by as much as 32% versus 2025.
Among Spain’s most sought-after destinations, average return fares to Barcelona, Alicante and Madrid were down 19%, 25% and 32% respectively compared with last year. Meanwhile, flights to Tenerife averaged £194, compared with £202 during the same period in 2025. Malaga also saw a decline, with average return fares falling 10% from £135 to £121.
Portugal is offering similar savings for holidaymakers. Average return fares to Faro dropped 16% year-on-year, decreasing from £144 to £121, while flights to Lisbon fell 14%, from £219 to £189.
KAYAK’s last-minute summer flight prices to Europe in 2026:
- Barcelona, Spain: £91 average return fare (19% lower than last year)
- Alicante, Spain: £100 average return fare (25% lower than last year)
- Madrid, Spain: £121 average return fare (32% lower than last year)
- Malaga, Spain: £121 average return fare (10% lower than last year)
- Faro, Portugal: £121 average return fare (16% lower than last year)
- Lisbon, Portugal: £189 average return fare (14% lower than last year)
- Tenerife, Spain: £194 average return fare (4% lower than last year)
Rachel Mumford, UK Travel Expert at KAYAK, says:
“Travellers who are still deciding on their summer holiday destination may be pleasantly surprised by the savings currently available. While there is often an expectation that travel costs rise during peak season, our search data indicates that flights to several popular sunshine destinations are actually cheaper than they were a year ago. At KAYAK, we help travellers navigate their options with confidence by providing price comparison tools and insights that highlight where the best value can be found, enabling people to make smarter travel choices.”
Further details on weekly and annual airfare movements can be found through KAYAK’s Flight Price Trends Dashboard. Updated every week, the tool monitors airfare trends from the first full week of the year, giving travellers a simple way to compare current prices against previous periods.
